Open Pollinated Land-race Watermelon

Summary

In the 2011 growing season I started a
genetically diverse
open pollinated land-race
of watermelon that is being selectively adapted to thrive on my
farm with it's cold nights, hot arid days, bright high-altitude sunlight,
and short growing season. Before the start of the growing season seeds
were shared among 2 growers in a similarly short-season cold climate,
and one grower in a warmer climate.

Method

I planted as many varieties of mostly short-season watermelon as I could acquire.
The list of varieties included:

Between the Sun and Moon Mass Cross of
"close to 100" varieties, and an "absolutely huge mass cross"
Red Watermelon Grex.

The primary selection criteria was that the plant must grow
well enough to set fruit in my garden. I am not intending to maintain a hybrid swarm for watermelons.

Results in 2011

In the 2011 growing season 5 fruits were harvested
from my garden out of more than 600 seeds that were planted.
The 3 collaborating breeders had varying degrees of success.
We traded seeds all around.

To demonstrate how successful the program has been at identifying
suitable germplasm, photos were taken of plants seeded on the same day a few
feet from each other.

Struggling To Survive

Well Adapted

Collaboration

If you have short season varieties (less than 90 days) that you would like
included in the trial, please send seeds to my post office box.
In return I can offer respect, or seeds either now or
this fall when the the crop is harvested.